From Staff Reports

The Cass County Child Pro­tective Services board of direc­tors is asking local residents to help provide an additional gift for each foster child from Cass County in the annual Christ­mas Wish List Project. 
To select a gift please call Carol at 903-748-784 to leave your name, phone number and the number of the child you wish to “adopt” for this special project. 
The unwrapped gifts must be returned to the Atlanta Child Protective Service Office at 305 E. Thomas St. (in the same building as Brookshire’s) in Atlanta or at the Cass County District Clerk’s Office in the Justice Center at 604 Highway 8 North in Linden no later than Dec. 5. Please mark each gift with the corresponding number on the CPS list.
Most gifts are $35 and under and there is no limit on the number of children you can “adopt.” Each gift helps to make Christ­mas a little merrier for all Cass County’s foster children.

1 .Boy : 4 years old     Hot Wheels Monster Jam Truck “Man of Steel”
2. Boy, 6 years old. Tonka Truck “Classic Might Dump Truck”
3. Boy, 8 years old, remote control quadcopter drone
4. Boy. 20 months old,    Ninja Turtles Heroes Tower Playland
5. Boy, 13 years old, RCA 7” Electronic Tablet 8GB
6. Boy, 17 months old,    Radio Flyer Rocket ride on
7. Girl, 3 years old, kids play cleaning set
8. Boy. 4 years old, Mr. Potato Head 
9. Boy, 20 months old,    Vtech Alphabet Activity Center
10. Girl. 16 years old, radio/CD player
11 Boy, 8 months old, Vtech “Talk and Go Farm” rattle
12. Boy, 17 months old, Fisher Price Grow With Me Trike
13. Girl, 7 years old, Kidz Bop CD #33
14. Boy, 17 months old, LeapFrog “Chat and Count” Phone
15. Boy, 14 years old, MP3 Player
16.    Boy, 9 years old,    Lego Game for Xbox 1
18., Girl, 22 months old,    Disney Little Mermaid desk and chair with storage bin
19. Boy, 10 months old, Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube
21. Boy, 5 years old,    Lego Game for Xbox 360
22. Boy, 3 years old    Classic Mighty Tonka dump truck
23. Girl, 11 years old,    glow in the dark poster of a kitten
24. Boy, 17 years old, earrings for men, square, pierced
25. Boy, 10 months old    ,Baby Einstein DVD, any two
26. Girl, 8 years old,    My Little Puppy Pink Poodle
27. Boy,10 years old,    remote control car with batteries
28. Bo,  5 months old,    Infantino “See Play Go Hug and Tug” musical giraffe
29. Girl, 3 years old    Vtech “Tote and Go” laptop
30. Boy, 21 months old    ,,Fisher Price “Little People See N Say” 
31. Boy, 9 months old,    Melissa and Doug Pull-Back vehicle set
32. Boy, 11 years old,    $35 Walmart Gift Card
34. Boy, 5 years old,    Big Tonka truck
35. Girl, 9 years old,    stuffed cat or dog
36. Boy, 13 months old    ,Vtech “Busy Learners” activity cube
37. Girl, 6 years old,    toy dish set
38. Boy, 14 years old    $35 Walmart Gift Card
39. Girl, 13 years old    portable CD player with radio
40. Boy, 11 years old    $35 Walmart Gift Card
41. Boy, 4 years old    Tonka Truck “Retro Classic Steel Stake Truck”
42. Boy, 6 years old    Hot Wheels Monster Jam Truck “El Toro Loco”
43 Boy, 8 years old,    any Minecraft Story Mode for Xbox 360
44. Boy, 20 months old, Ninja Turtle Shell Raiser Ride-On
45. Boy,13 years old, 2016 Ash & Greninja box set Pokemon cards
46. Boy, 17 months old,    Fisher Price Bright Beats Learnin’ Lights Dance Mat
47. Girl, 3 years old,    American Plastic “My Very Own Vanity” playset
48. Boy, 4 years old,    Playskool Heroes Transformer
49. Boy, 20 months old, Tonka My First Soft Walkin’ Wheels Car
50. Girl, 16 years old,    make-up, skin products and hair products for African-American girl
51. Boy, 8 months old,    Fisher Price Light-Up Lion Stacker
52. Boy, 17 months old    coat, black, size 18 months
53. Girl, 7 years old,    personal CD player with headphones
54. Boy, 17 months old,Fisher Price See N Say Farmer Says
55. Boy, 14 years old,    “God’s Not Dead” & “God’s Not Dead2” DVD set
56. Boy, 9 years old,    Lego City Great Vehicles Pick-Up Tow Truck
59. Boy. 10 months old,    Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table
61.    Boy, 5 years old,    toy dinosaur that makes sounds
62. Boy, 3 years old,    Little Tikes Basketball Goal
64. Boy, 17 years old    phone case for LG G3
65.Boy, 10 months old,    Fisher Price Learn With Light Piano
66. Girl, 8 years old,    Barbie Starlight Adventure Galaxy Doll and Flying Cat
67. Boy, 10 years old,    Lego Building Blocks Set
68. Boy, 5 months old,    Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Activity Home
69. Girl, 3 years old,    Fisher Price Little People Farm
70. Boy, 21 months old,    Lego Duplo Blocks
71. Boy, 9 months old,    Fisher Price See N Say Farmer Says
72. Boy, 11 years old,    Monopoly game
73. Girl, 6 months old,    Bright Starts “Clack and Slide” activity ball
74. Boy, 5 years old,    remote control car with batteries
75. Girl, 9 years old,    $35 Walmart Gift Card
76. Boy,  13 months old    Baby Einstein Octoplush plush toy
78. Boy, 14 years old,    Yahtzee Game with extra Score Sheets
79. Girl,  13 years old,    sun catcher craft kit
80. Boy, 11 years old,    basketball
81. Boy, 4 years old,    American Plastic t-ball set
82. Boy, 6 years old,    Little Tike Tot Sport T-Ball Set
83. Boy, 8 years old,    pop-up portable soccer goal and soccer ball
84. Boy, 20 months old,    Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Flip Open Sofa
85. Boy, 13 years old,     tennis shoes, white, size 8-1/2
86. Boy, 17 months old,    Mega Blocks First Builders Friendly Farm
87. Girl,  3 years old,    LeapFrog “LeapStart Learning System” preschool and pre-k
88. Boy, 4 years old, fire truck
89. Boy, 20 months old,    Vtech Little Smart iPhone
90. Girl,16 years old,    CD Movies – “High School Musical” 2 and 3
92. Boy, 17 months old,    Little Tikes “Tot Sports Easy Score” basketball set
93. Girl, 7 years old, Pink and/or Purple Comforter Set for Twin Bed
94. Boy, 17 months old,    Vtech “Crazy Legs” Learning Bug
96. Boy, 9 years old, Hot Wheels “Super Loop Raceway” with 4 Hot Wheels Cars
97. Girl, 2 years old,    Fisher Price “Laugh and Learn” Puzzles
98. Girl, 22 months old,    American Plastic Toys “Girl’s Trail Runner” ATV
99. Boy, 10 months old,    Fisher-Price “Musical Lion Walker”
100. Girl, 11 years old,    “Miracles From Heaven” DVD
102. Boy, 3 years old,    toy dinosaur that makes sounds
104. Boy, 17 years old,    $35 Walmart gift card
105. Boy, 10 months old,    Vtech “Spin and Learn Color Carousel”
107. Boy, 10 years old,    soccer ball or football
108. Boy, 5 months old,    “Sassy” Baby’s First Books Set
109. Girl, 3 years old,    Playskool “Talking Elmo”
110. Boy, 21 months old,    Fisher Price “Little People” Car or Truck
111. Boy, 9 months old    Fisher Price “Pop-Up Musical Dino”
112. Boy, 11 years old,    $35 Walmart gift card
113. Girl, 6 months old,    “Bright Starts” Lights and Sounds Funpad Musical Toy
114. Boy, 5 years old,    Lego blocks set
116. Boy, 13 months old,    Fisher Price Farm
118. Boy, 14 years old,    personal CD player with headphones
119. Girl, 13 years old,    $35 Walmart gift card
120. Boy, 11 years old,    Battleship game

By Stephen Jones
sjones@casscountynow.com

Robert Surratt of Linden was almost 19 years old when he and 10 million other Americans were called on to serve in World War II. Surratt served as an Army medic in Company B, after receiving more than three years of training.
Once training was complete, his company was shipped off to fight in the Pacific Theater. “They never told us where we were going,” Surratt said, “they didn’t want any distractions.”
His company spent a large amount of time in the Philippines, where they were treated as heroes. “When we got there, the people were very nice to us,” Surratt said, “and the Filipino soldiers were great to work with.” The people of the Philippines had a lot to be thankful for, especially after they were liberated from Japanese rule by Allied forces.
When Surratt was first deployed, he believed he was not going to make it home. 
“We fought every battle thinking it was going to be our last,” Surratt said, but that changed when he lost his pal, Otis Grimsey. “After he was killed, I told myself, ‘I’m going to make it home,’” said Surratt.
Not only did American soldiers have to fight Japanese soldiers, they also had to weather exhausting environmental conditions. From the unbearably humid climate to the swarms of mosquitoes, these soldiers were truly pushed to the limit.
“The mosquitoes were terrible,” Surratt said, “my entire right arm was completely swollen.”
These conditions plagued Surratt from the Philippines to New Guinea, but his biggest challenge came in May of 1944: The Battle of Lone Tree Hill. 
“We were actually set to go on leave just a few days later,” said Surratt, “but they canceled it after they moved up the attack.”
 Lone Tree Hill was located in Dutch New Guinea, and the Japanese had densely occupied the area, preventing any further American advancement on the island. 
Even though the Japanese infantry was fairly isolated from friendly territory, they were able to hold station in heavily fortified caves. 
“They were held up in caves,” Surratt said, “they even had hospitals built inside them.”
By the time the battle was over, the U.S. Army had taken Lone Tree Hill but suffered 400 casualties, 1,500 wounded and 15 missing. However, the battle took a greater toll on the Japanese, who lost over 3,800 men and 50 of their soldiers had been captured. 
Once Surratt was finally discharged, he had lost hearing in both of his ears from a shelling blast. He traveled by land and sea to get home. After arriving in San Antonio, it was all up to him on how to get home. “They gave me twenty dollars to get from San Antonio to Linden.” Surratt said. 
Luckily for him and many other returning soldiers, there were several people more than willing to drive them home free of charge. “You just can’t find that nowadays,” Surratt said, “I just wish I could remember their names.”
Even though many years have passed, Surratt has no trouble remembering how he surprised his mother. “It was about 5 a.m. when I got home, and my mother was making breakfast at the time,” Surratt said, “I actually beat the letter I had last written to her. You want to talk about celebrations; that was a great one.”
Once he returned home, he found a job delivering vehicles for General Motors, where he would eventually retire after 33 years. Veterans were treated a lot differently during that time, for Veteran’s Day was not as big as it is now. “It was just like another job,” Surratt said.

From Staff Reports

The CHRISTUS St. Michael Atlanta Foundation’s 19th Annual Turkey Trot 5k promises a lot of fun for runners and walkers alike.
Themed “Run First, Eat Later,” the run/walk event takes place Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. There are door prizes hidden along the route and cash prizes for the top male and female finishers in multiple age groups.
Melissa Kimble, foundation development coordinator, said the event has double meaning for her this year. 
“Personally, I couldn’t be more excited about the run,” Kimble said.  “Anyone that knows me, knows I’m extremely passionate about our hometown hospital.  They would also know that I consider running a privilege.  
“Back in June, after experiencing a week of what I thought were leg cramps, I was diagnosed with multiple DVTs (blood clots) in my right leg and pulmonary embolisms.  This shocking news took me off my feet for months and led to a tremendous amount of anxiety. Thankfully, I’m 100 percent clot-free and have been able to return to ‘normal’ life.  Since then, running has been my therapy.  When I run, I’m reminded that I’m still alive, that God protected me from those clots and gave me the chance to live.  
“So this year’s Turkey Trot has a lot more meaning for me.  I’ll be running to support the place that saved my life and to honor my Creator, who gave me life,” Kimble added.
Anyone who wants to be a participant can register online at www.christusstmichaelatlantafoundation.com or at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health and Fitness Center-Atlanta. Late registration starts at 8 a.m. on the day of the race.
The course starts at the fitness center, circles through the Atlanta Sports Complex and ends back at the fitness center. There is a 1k family fun run starting at 8:30 a.m.
Jerry Richardson “No Bull” Insurance is the event sponsor.
Kimble said all money raised by the foundation stays in Atlanta.

M.U.M.S. Math and Science Team wins first place
The Morris Upchurch Middle School Math and Science Team competed at Foster Middle School in Longview  on Oct. 29.
The M.U.M.S. team won the first place overall trophy with a total of 2,717 points, second place Daingerfield had 2,638 points total and third place Spring Hill had a total of 2,600 points.  
The M.U.M.S. team consisted of 27 students and brought home a total of 17 medals for placing in the Top 5 of an event; three of the medals were for winning first place in the event.  
In Number Sense: Austin McGee (eighth grade) placed second; Aden Norton (seventh grade) placed third; Halle Worthington (seventh grade) placed fourth and Clare Wong (sixth grade) placed second.
In Calculator: Mallory Abbitt (eighth grade) placed first; Gracie Weeks (eighth grade) placed second; Allyson Hamilton (eighth grade) placed third; Claire Bates (eighth grade) placed fourth; Mackenzie Wincher (seventh grade) placed fifth; Chauncett Miles (sixth grade) placed first and Clare Wong (sixth grade) placed third.
In General Math: Austin McGee (eighth grade) placed second; Carson Dillinger (seventh grade) placed fifth and Clare Wong (sixth grade) placed first. 
In Science: Gabi Gonzalez (eighth grade) placed third; Colton Scoggins (seventh grade) placed second and Faith Mahon (sixth grade) placed third.
Team coaches are Kendra Bates, Celeste Dellinger, Becky Russell and Principal Steve Holmes.

The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Fine Arts Club is sponsoring a military service member holiday care package drive. 
The care packages will be sent to units in Afghanistan.  
All donations must be delivered to the UAHT Fine Arts Club by Nov. 14, to the Texarkana campus at 3501 UofA Way, Texarkana, Arkansas, 71854
The following is a list of items the troops need. 
Please note this is a gift drive, not a canned food drive. 
Troops are in great need of toiletries or other small goodies from home to add some cheer to their holiday season. 
Also, if you would like to sponsor the postage cost of a package, the cost is $12.95 each. 
Please make checks payable to: UAHT Fine Arts Club.
If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea Slack at 870-722-8219 or chelsea.slack@uacch.edu. 
NOTE: no pork products (read labels), glass, or items that will melt.
Here are some items: Tuna/chicken (in pouches only),Cajun seasoning, garlic salt, hot sauce (plastic bottle or packets only),tea bags, hot chocolate packets, instant coffee, microwave popcorn packages, instant oatmeal, instant soups, powdered drink mixes (pre-sweetened), beef jerky/beef sticks, dry cereal, Chex mix, cookies,  cracker snacks,fruit snacks, dried fruit, energy bars, granola bars, gum, hard candy, antibiotic creams, anti-bacterial wipes, baby wipes, Chapstick or Carmex, eye drops, face soap, liquid soap (small bottles), foot powder, insect repellent, air freshener (no aerosols), body lotion, mouthwash, shampoo (small bottles), toothbrush, toothpaste, playing cards, disposable camera, small flashlights, envelopes, stationary/pens/pencils, magazines (no obscene magazines), newspapers, sewing kits, Yo-Yo/Other small toys, Zip Lock bags, razors, shaving cream (small cans), hairbrushes/combs, dominoes, Icy Hot, sunflower seeds, lens cleaning cloths for glasses, socks (tall), hand sanitizer, Sudoku/Word Find/Crossword Books, unscented deodorant, sunblock (no aerosols), holiday/seasonal decorations (non-breakable), Q-tips, protein bars/powder, Kleenex (travel size), peanut butter, Nutella, Hand warmers, Frisbees, Nerf ball, nasal spray, Duct tape, headlamp, handheld fans, dental floss, and jump ropes.

From Staff Reports

The Cass County Commissioners Court, on Nov. 14, issued an outdoor burning ban in all areas of unincorporated areas of the county.
According to Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks, the Texas Forest Service has determined that drought conditions exist in a highest enough degree to warrant the action, which went into effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.
This ban is not effective in the incorporated areas – cities/towns pass their own ban on burning. 
Cass is one of 66 counties in Texas to have ourdoor burn bans as of Nov. 14. Marion County hsa similar ban in place while Bowie and Morris Counties do not have bans.
Burning while under a burn ban is prohibited and is a Class C misdemeanor a fineable offense of $500. 

By Randy Grider
randy@casscountynow.com

When will you start seeing beer and wine in Atlanta stores?
It will likely be a few weeks as city officials work through its legal obligations and stores secure permits as well as preparing their respective facilities to accommodate inventory.
Atlanta citizens voted to legalize off-premise beer and wine sales during last week’s general election.  The measure passed with 53.63 percent voting in favor and 46.37 voting against -- 1,019 to 881.
Atlanta City Manager David Cockrell met with Nash city officials the day after the election to discuss how that municipality transitioned from dry to wet in 2014. Cockrell said Texas Petition Strategies is also providing technical assistance.
“We are going to present the relative ordinances to the city council in timely manner,” Cockrell said. “We have to prepare ordinances for our council meet and comport with state law.”
Cockrell said the ordinances will contain regulations that govern beer and wine sales.
“There will be regulations on permits, fee and hours of sales and those type issues,” Cockrell said.
He said regulations adopted by the city will have to fit within the framework of Texas law pertaining to alcohol sales.
Cockrell said for all those reason, he didn’t want to give a specific, or even estimated, date of when residents can legally purchase alcohol in Atlanta.
“I don’t like to guess,” Cockrell said. “It’s not likely we will be the folks holding up anything because retailers have certain things they need to go through, whether it’s hiring architects, engineers, electricians and that kind of thing to get cooling systems and storage facilities ready for inventory. It would not surprise me if that process didn’t take as long or longer than our process.”

By Stephen Jones
sjones@casscountynow.com

At the last Atlanta City Council meeting, an interesting idea was presented to the council by Jim Christian. 
He proposed the possibility of bringing a car museum to the city of Atlanta. 
As the director of the Four States Auto Museum in Texarkana, Christian is optimistic about the potential museum’s affect on the town. “I believe the museum could bring in tourists from all around and help local businesses,” Christian said, “People are just drawn to them [museums].”
The plan is to have the museum located in the building next to Luigi’s Italian Restaurant on N East Street. Christian cites the building’s large parking lot and glass windows as important factors in picking that particular location, but the main reason is its proximity to downtown’s other businesses.
“The last time there was a car show in Atlanta,” said Christian, “Luigi’s told us it was the most business they had all year.”
As of now, the project is still in its early stages, so Christian is trying gauge public opinion on whether or not they would interested in having a car museum similar to the one in Texarkana; and if all goes well, he has a plan to generate revenue.
“The museum would be a transparent, non-profit 501c3,” Christian said, “and we would have a monthly museum membership program.”
When it comes to what would be in the museum, he is very confident about the cars that he could get to display. “I know plenty of people who would be willing to donate cars to the museum,” said Christian, “It would be the same way we get cars to show in the Texarkana museum.”

By Randy Grider
randy@casscounty.com

On a night with record voter turnout, opponents of a proposal to annex much of Cass County into the Texarkana College taxing district won a resounding victory -- defeating the proposition 7,251 - 1,965. 
While 78 percent of the voters rejected measure, which included Atlanta, Queen City, Bloomburg, McLeod and Linden-Kildare School school districts, TC President James Russell said the college remains committed to educating students in the area.
“Texarkana College would like to thank the residents of Cass County for considering our annexation measure at the polls today,” President James Henry Russell said, following the Nov. 8 election . “Though voters in the area chose not to join the TC district, the College remains committed to moving the needle toward a college-going culture in Cass County and our region.”
If the measure had passed, students living within the school districts would have saved money by paying paid in-district tuition. TC also had committed to operating a $4 million campus in Atlanta offering vocational certification classes. Property owners would have been accessed tax of $.11 per $100 of appraised property valuation to pay for the program.
“Now that Cass County voters have opted to maintain out-of-district status, TC will continue to partner with area school districts to offer dual credit courses,” Russell said. “We will continue to provide accessible and affordable options for college and career training throughout our service area, as TC has done since 1927.”
Over the last few months a group of voters who opposed raising property taxes became more vocal. This anti-property tax increase sentiment has also expressed in the Linden-Kildare CISD.
Voters within the L-K CISD rejected an $8 million bond package by 1,370 to 847 votes.
County Clerk Jamie O’Rand said that close to 12,000 voters participated in the election, or 63 percent of registered voters. This, she said, is likely a new record for the county. 

From Staff Reports

Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas recently recognized Beako Manufacturing Company at its annual awards celebration in Mount Pleasant.
The Queen City-based company received organization’s  Local Employer of Excellence Award on Oct. 26.  
“Beako Manufacturing Company, LLC, our staff and employees are greatly appreciative of the Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas Board and members for the nomination and award to our company of the Local Employer of Excellence Award 2016,” said Beako Comptroller Malinda Hogue. 
“It is an honor and privilege to work with this fine organization that serves our businesses and communities in Northeast Texas. Our goal in working with the Northeast Texas Board is to provide employment opportunities for our local area, while producing quality products to represent our company.”
Beako has been in business for more than 49 years. Ken and Sue Cullins founded the company in 1969 to service military and industrial contractors. Today, the company is run by five siblings.
In addition to Hogue, John B. Cullins serves as the president, while Tommy Cullins, Sherry Griffin and Kim Prewitt are in vice president roles.
Beako employs 15 people, and company officials said it is seeking ways to expand and grow the business.  
Company officials said it places emphasis on employee retention and development. 
During the past year, Beako has partnered with Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas on six on-the-job training contracts.   
Beako’s company motto is “You never do wrong by doing right.”
In June, the Better Business Bureau presented Beako with the Customer Commitment Award during its Torch Awards in Texarkana. 

Due to recent rainfall, Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks has lifted the ban on outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county. The ban lift does not effect incorporated cities, as each city is responsible for their own ban.

By Stephen Jones
sjones@casscountynow.com

We all pass by or visit places named in the honor of prominent figures from the past. As time passes, their names become common place. And with each passing generation, their respective life’s works begin to fade into the background.
Below are the back stories of a few of the local landmarks and their namesakes.

Wright Patman Lake
On August 6, 1893, Wright Patman was born near Hughes Springs. He graduated from Hughes Springs High School in 1912 and received his law degree from Cumberland University in 1916.
In the midst of World War I, Patman enlisted in the United States Army, which lead to positions as a first lieutenant  and machine gun officer in the Texas Army National Guard.
Patman began his political career in the Texas House of Representatives in 1920, but he made his biggest contributions to the country during his 24 terms in the House of Representatives. In 1932, Patman sponsored a bill that would have immediately paid World War I veterans, who were ravaged by the Great Depression, a bonus that was supposed to be issued in 1945.
In 1936, Patman co-sponsored the Robinson-Patman Act, which aimed to protect small and independent retailers from losing business to much larger chain retailers by preventing these larger retailers from getting a lower price on goods than their independent counterparts.
In the early days of the Watergate Scandal, Patman led a committee dedicated to finding out the origin of the freshly printed hundred-dollar bills found on the men arrested in the DNC headquarters. 
After much pressure from the White House and Congressman Gerald R. Ford, the committee was shut down. 
Patman would later say, “I predict that the facts will come out, and when they do I am convinced they will reveal why the White House was so anxious to kill the committee’s investigation. The public will fully understand why this pres­sure was mounted.”
Patman’s political career ended in 1975, and he would pass away just a year later in Bethesda, Md. He is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery in Texarkana.

Mattie Lanier 
Richey Center
In the city of Atlanta, the Mattie Lanier Richey Center plays host to many events throughout the year.
Mattie’s family settled in Atlanta during the 1870s, after leaving the Mt. Zion community. Her father, W.D. “Pa Bill” Lanier, served as a representative in the Texas Legislature from 1915-1917, but Mattie had a mission of her own: she taught school in modern day Oklahoma.
While working as a bookkeeper in a Louisiana saw mill, she met her future husband, Thomas Robins (T.R.) Richey, a man with an industrious mind. He brought the Ford Motor Company to Atlanta and became president of Atlanta National Bank and the First National Bank of Atlanta.
Continuing the Richey legacy of serving the community, their third child, Mozelle (Mo) Richey Smith Wilkins, established both a gift shop/volunteer organization at Atlanta Memorial Hospital, now CHRISTUS  St. Michael-Atlanta.

McNoble Harper Park
Like the Mattie Lanier Richey Center, McNoble Harper Park is a popular venue for community gatherings as well as outdoor recreation. The park recently received upgrades from a grant.
McNoble Harper was a highly respected Atlanta educator and coach. He started his teaching career in various segregated schools in the East Texas area, such as McLeod (Rambo School), Pruitt and Marietta (Gethsemane School) and Atlanta (Booker T. Washington).
He spent most of his time coaching basketball and baseball, which eventually led to positions as the Pruitt athletic director and the Atlanta Negro Chamber of Commerce Baseball Club president, but his teaching capabilities did not end with sports.
While he was coaching at Pruitt, he was also the vocational agriculture instructor and represented Pruitt at the New Farmers of America National Conference. The NFA was mostly the African-American counterpart of the FFA and was merged with the FFA in 1965.
Harper also dabbled in politics when he represented Cass County at the Texas Democratic Convention in 1968, but his teaching career is where he truly made his mark. 
He spent the final part of his career with the Atlanta ISD.
J.K. Hileman 
Elementary School
In Queen City, you will find two schools named after distinguished educators. 
J.K. (Jake) Hileman was born on Jan. 11, 1910, in Cass County’s Turkey Creek community, located between Hughes Springs and Avinger. Graduating from the town’s rural school in 1928, he attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) and later transfered to East Texas State Teacher’s College (now Texas A&M University-Commerce), where he would graduate in 1936, majoring in government.
Hileman was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 2, and a longtime educator. 
He started teaching in schools that have long since been incorporated into either the Queen City or Atlanta school systems, such as O’Farrell and Alamance.
After his time as a Texas representative, he served as Queen City ISD’s superintendent from September 1, 1943 to June 30, 1974. As superintendent, he gained much respect from not only his peers, but also from students he helped in his over thirty-year career. Hileman passed away at the age of 73, on August 18, 1983.

Morris Upchurch 
Middle School
Queen City’s middle school is named after Morris Upchurch. Upchurch was a longtime member of the Queen City ISD family, spending 33 years as a teacher and principal of both the elementary and middle schools. 
When rural schools were incorporated into Queen City’s district in 1948, he served on the first school board, post-incorporation. 
The highly experienced educator passed away April 25, 1997, at the age of 88.

By Stephen Jones
sjones@casscountynow.com

During these past few months, people have been separated by politics and policies, but leaders at Enon Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Atlanta are striving to bring the community together this holiday season by hosting a Community Christmas Celebration.
Dale Perkins, FBC Atlanta’s music minister, and Pastor A.C. Williams of Enon Baptist Church have been working closely together in planning the two-night event scheduled for Dec. 17-18.
“This is all about celebrating unity and fellowship with each other while also celebrating the birth of the Christ Child,” Perkins said.
With the focus being on bringing the community together, various city leaders are expected to speak on how proud they are to serve in this community, and Perkins feels this same kind of pride, “I have spent 21 years in this community and I am very grateful to live there.”
Perhaps the most exciting part of the festivities will be the performances by choirs from various churches and denominations in the community, and the night will conclude with all choirs coming together for one spectacular finale.
There will be no political or denominational lines drawn during this celebration. “We invite all churches from all denominations to come out and celebrate with us,” Perkins said, “The celebration is meant to be both entertaining and encouraging.”
The event will take place at Enon Baptist Church on Dec. 17 and will then continue at FBC Atlanta on Dec. 18.  Enon Baptist Church is located at 510 Howe St, and FBC Atlanta can be found at 306 Baker St.
The starting time will be at 6:30 p.m. on both nights and admission will be free of charge. Potential visitors are encouraged to come early, for the last celebration packed the churches rather quickly.

From Staff Reports

Actress, comedian, talk show personality and 1976 Atlanta High School graduate Ellen DeGeneres was among 21 people receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a White House ceremony on Nov. 22.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor. 
DeGeneres starred in the popular sitcom Ellen from 1994 to 1998, and has hosted her syndicated TV talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, since 2003. Her stand-up career started in the early 1980s, culminating in a 1986 appearance on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson.
As a film actress, DeGeneres starred in Mr. Wrong (1996), appeared in EDtv (1999), and The Love Letter (1999), and provided the voice of Dory in the Pixar animated films Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory (2016); for Nemo, she was awarded the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress, the first time an actress won a Saturn Award for a voice performance. In 2010 she was a judge on American Idol for its ninth season.
DeGeneres has hosted the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and the Primetime Emmys. She has authored three books and started her own record company, Eleveneleven. She has won 29 Emmys, 17 People’s Choice Awards, and numerous other awards for her work and charitable efforts.
Others in this year’s classes of Medal of Freedom winners include basketball stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan, actors Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks and Robert Redford, broadcaster Vin Scully and singers Diana Ross and Bruce Springsteen.

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

Atlanta’s annual Christmas parade will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, but the deadline to enter your float is today (Nov. 30), by 4 p.m. at the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce office.
The theme for this year is a “North Pole” setting, which could include a variation of props and costumes such as elves and snow. Since the parade will take place at night floats are encouraged to use lighting if possible for more of a holiday feeling.
Floats will lineup near the Highway Dept. and will turn right onto Main Street as the parade begins to move. The procession will eventually turn right onto North East Street before turning onto Hiram Street.
Float riders are allowed to toss candy and will need to have a bag handy. No one under 12 years of age will be permitted to throw candy during the parade.
Santa will make an appearance in the parade but he will not be available for a photo session afterwards.
 “We are expecting a great turnout and have close to 40 participants already,” Chamber Communication Manager Sara Heath said. 
“You don’t have to be a business to enter a float in the parade. Individuals are welcome as well. We will have both Atlanta High School and Queen City High School bands present plus much more for the biggest parade of the year.”

The 8th Annual Christmas Open House, benefiting the Rainbow Room will be held in the Cass County District Clerk’s Office, inside the Law Enforcement and Justice Center, 604 Hwy 8 North in Linden on Dec. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Donations of infant and toddler items, school supplies, hygiene products, new and used clothes for tots and teens, cleaning supplies and household items are needed.
The Rainbow Room provides good and services to abused and neglected children in Cass County.
For more information, call 903-756-7514.

The Morris Upchurch Middle School Math and Science team competed at Atlanta Middle School on Saturday, Nov. 12.   
The M.U.M.S. team won the first place overall trophy with a total of 3040 points, second place Spring Hill had 2984 points total and third place Hughes Springs had a total of 2916 points.  
The M.U.M.S team had 33 places in the Top 5 of an event; six of these places were for winning first place in the event.  
Number Sense: Austin McGee – 1st place; 8th grade; Connor McGee – 2nd place; 7th grade; Aden Norton – 3rd place; 7th grade; Halle Worthington – 4th place; 7th grade; Parker Johnson – 5th place; 7th grade; Clare Wong – 2nd place; 6th grade; LaJavion Marvin – 2nd place; 5th grade; Aidan Hamilton – 3rd place; 5th grade; Mallori Stringer – 4th place; 5th grade and Payton Boone – 5th place; 5th grade.
Calculator: Mallory Abbitt- 1st place; 8th grade; Claire Bates – 3rd place; 8th grade; Allyson Hamilton – 4th place; 8th grade; Gracie Weeks – 5th place; 8th grade; Chyna Stiger – 5th place; 7th grade; Clare Wong – 1st place; 6th grade; Ebie Dotson – 2nd place; 6th grade; Chauncett Miles – 4th place; 6th grade; Samuel Weeks – 1st place; 5th grade; Clint Wiley – 2nd place; 5th grade; Kyra Cambell – 3rd place; 5th grade; Kynlee Butler – 4th place; 5th grade and Jordyn Jones – 5th place; 5th grade.
General Math: Austin McGee – 3rd place; 8th grade; Parker Johnson – 4th place; 7th grade; Carson Dellinger – 5th place; 7th grade; Michah Whittington – 1st place; 5th grade; Aidan Hamilton – 2nd place ; 5th grade; Zach Henry – 4th place; 5th grade and LaJavion Martin – 5th place; 5th grade.
Science: Corbin Farmer – 1st place; 5th grade; Zach Henry – 2nd place; 5th grade and Jackson Dillinger – 3rd place; 5th grade.
Team coaches are Kendra Bates, Celeste Dellinger, Becky Russell and Principal Steve Holmes.

Christian Oliver, a senior at Atlanta High School, was a delegate to the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Lowell, Mass., last summer. He is the son of Marwin and Carolyn Oliver.
The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students from across the country who are passionate about science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). 
He was nominated to represent Atlanta by the first winner of the Google Science Fair Shree Bose, who serves as the Academic Director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists, based on his academic achievement, leadership potential and passion for science and technology.
During the three-day Congress, he joined students from across the country and heard Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science winners talk about leading scientific research, was given advice from deans of the world’s top tech universities, was inspired by fellow teen science prodigies and learned about cutting-edge advances and the future of science and technology.
“This is a crucial time in America when we need more nimble-minded and creative scientists and technologists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially,” said Richard Rossi, Executive Director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. “Focused, bright and determined students like Christian Oliver are our future and he deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give him.”
Oliver said, “I was grateful for this opportunity. It was truly a great honor and a great experience to represent myself, my school, and my parents, but in all that I do glory, honor and all praise goes to Christ.  God made it all possible. I look forward to the future plans that God has for me, for I know that are going to be great. There is nothing I cannot do with Christ on my side. Proverbs 3:6 says, ‘In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path.’ Thanks to those that have supported me in prayer, fellowship, monetary donations, or conversation. Your kindness will never be forgotten.”
All students attending the program must have a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) or higher to attend. 
The purpose of this event was to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be scientists, technologists, and physicians to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.

LifeShare Blood Centers, which serve a population base of more than 2.9 million people in the south central United States, calls upon its East Texas communities to join one of the upcoming blood drives.
On Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Mobile Blood Donation Center (MBDC) will be at Stanco in Atlanta, and then will travel to Bowie-Cass Electric where they will be set up from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Dec. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the MBDC will park at Guard-Line and will make an appearance at Wal-Mart the same day from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Call 903-794-3173 or visit www.lifeshare.org to schedule a blood donation appointment at any of these locations.
Donations from O-negative and B-negative types are particularly needed, but healthy people of all blood types and ethnicities are encouraged to donate blood to help save lives.
Every two seconds, someone needs a blood, and cancer patients require frequent blood transfusion because aggressive treatment often destroys healthy blood cells along with diseased ones. Often red blood cell transfusions are needed to fight anemia and platelet transfusions are needed to control bleeding.
Give blood “The Gift of Life” to those fighting for their life. LifeShare thanks every individual blood donor and the organizations sponsoring blood drives throughout the year.
LifeShare Blood Centers regularly supplies blood components to 117 medical facilities throughout Louisiana, East Texas and southern Arkansas. 
LifeShare, founded in Shreveport circa. 1942, is a non-profit community service provider governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.
LifeShare is a member of America’s Blood Centers and the American rare Donor Program, is licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is accredited by the AABB.